Day Trip to Brown County

If you're not from Indiana, you're missing out on the treasure that is Brown County. It's in southern Indiana, and it is GORGEOUS. I think it was three years ago, now, that I spent a weekend down there with Julie Crandall - and then last summer (as in a year ago), right before I started my job at the station, I went down there for a week with Rachel Ashley for a writing retreat. It's just such a serene place!

 

Ryan and I had on our bucket list to go down there for a day this fall, but it seemed like every time we tried to schedule a day, one of us couldn't get out of work. Sadness indeed. So at the last minute (but before I knew about the engagement) we decided to take Friday off and head down there. I was SO GLAD we did that, because after the Thursday proposal, I'm not sure I could have focused to work on a Friday!!

 

We drove down that morning, making wedding plans the whole way down. The area was scheduled to be yucky and cold all day, but when we arrived, it was sunny and not too cold, so we decided to go to the state park first in case the rain showed up later.

 First order of business was to climb this fire tower. Let me back up and remind you I'm afraid of heights. And objects in photo are taller than they appear...

 It took several come-to-Jesus moments, but I made it to the top. You'll notice I did NOT let go of the railing or of Ryan. He told me later he considered proposing to me here. I'm glad he didn't. He never would have gotten my fingers uncurled enough to put a ring on my hand!

 He had to take over all photography once we got to the top because I seriously COULD NOT let go. My hands are cold just typing about it.

 We were really REALLY up there.

 We thought maybe this would be a good first home...and we plan to register for doors. What do you think??

 More self-timer/tripod magic.

 We hiked around Ogle Lake, which is the same lake Rachel and I hiked around in the 23904 degree heat last summer. The trees were starting to turn and it was GORGEOUS out there.

 I am in love with this man who carries a tripod for us. (His idea, no less, thankyouverymuch.)

 Hiking...hiking...hiking...

 We took our time, stopping several times just to talk. It really was the perfect morning. PERFECT.

 Photo opps outside a little picnic cabin at the end of the trail. We got some strange looks from passers-by, but do we look like we care? Didn't think so.

 I love this one!!!

 By the time we were done there, it was past lunch time, and we were hungry!! So we drove into Nashville (which is the little touristy town in Brown County) and had some massive tenderloins for lunch. They were SO GOOD.

 Then, you know - a quick trip to the courthouse...

 HA! Just kidding. I mean we did go up there for the picture, but we did not get married. HELLO!!!

We spent a couple of hours just shopping around. We got some stuff for ourselves and we did some Christmas shopping too!!

Then it was time for our afternoon coffee break.

 During which time, it started pouring....and we finally gave up and ran (or galloped, as he described my running in ballet flats and too-long jeans) through puddles back to the car.

 One look at that hair makes me glad he already loves me!! :)

On the way home, we stopped at these outlet malls and did a little shopping!

And that was our post-engagement day-trip!!